Med Lab Scientist Salary

Leavenworth vs Topeka: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Leavenworth, KS and Topeka, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Leavenworth, KS
$64,768
$31.14/hr
Topeka, KS
$70,154
$33.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLeavenworth, KSTopeka, KS
Median Salary$64,768$70,154
Hourly Rate$31.14$33.72
Entry Level (P10)$39,460$43,634
25th Percentile$48,156$53,847
75th Percentile$82,062$86,329
Top Earner (P90)$100,390$107,256
Total Employed8290
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Leavenworth ($64,768) and Topeka ($70,154) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.LeavenworthTopekaMedian Salary$64,768$70,154Entry Level (P10)$39,460$43,634Top Earner (P90)$100,390$107,256US Median $68,734

Verdict

Topeka, KS offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Leavenworth.

The salary gap between Leavenworth and Topeka is $5,386 (8.32%). Topeka's median is +2.07% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Leavenworth spans $60,930,Topeka spans $63,622. Topeka has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Leavenworth
P10 (Entry)$39,460
P25$48,156
Median$64,768
P75$82,062
P90 (Top)$100,390
Topeka
P10 (Entry)$43,634
P25$53,847
Median$70,154
P75$86,329
P90 (Top)$107,256

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Topeka ($78,984 effective) pays 10.85% more than Leavenworth ($71,252 effective).

Leavenworth
Nominal: $64,768
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $71,252
Topeka
Nominal: $70,154
CoL Index: 88.82
Adjusted: $78,984

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Leavenworth if…

  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Topeka if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,154/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,256)
  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,984)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Leavenworth grew 14.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.1% growth in Topeka over the same period.

Leavenworth, KS

+14.0%

$55,116 (2024) → $62,857 (2025)

Topeka, KS

+21.1%

$56,200 (2019) → $68,084 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Leavenworth or Topeka?

Topeka has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $70,154/year, compared to Leavenworth at $64,768/year — a difference of $5,386 (8.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Leavenworth and Topeka?

Leavenworth medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.14/hr while Topeka hygienists earn $33.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Leavenworth to Topeka as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Leavenworth and Topeka. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Leavenworth = $71,252, Topeka = $78,984), job availability (8 vs 290 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Leavenworth vs Topeka?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $39,460 in Leavenworth and $43,634 in Topeka. The Topeka area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP)

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory science. She specializes in molecular diagnostics. She works at a large metropolitan hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Jerome Patel, BS, MT(ASCP)Data verified by Fatima Hussain, MS, CLS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.04% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP), a licensed medical and clinical laboratory technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov